The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-05-19


grace.
For must not his sister share his dis
honor? 1 felt that bitterly at first
l who had been so proud of him.
But by-and-by, indignation, shame,
anger, all gave place to love and loves
anxiety. Tom was missing.
What mattered it to me that he had
sinned? He was still my brother, and
l loved him.
My thoughts flew back to his despair
that night-his tears, his self-reproach,
his prayer for my forgiveness. I re-
membered how weak he was, how
easily led, and who could tell how
greatly tempted; and from my soul
forgave him.
before taking steps to shield him from
the consequences of his crime.
Mr.. Hatton was merciful. He had
no wish to bring public disgrace upon
the family of his old friend-upon the
girl whom his own son was engaged
to marry.
was permitted to make up the de-
felt in the banks accounts. In order
to do SO. and for another reason, in
structed my lawyer to dispose of my
property. And that other reason was
letter from Tom, received just one
week from his departure.
A pitiful letter-the outcry of a
penitent and almost broken heart.
He had not appropriated the six
hundred pounds, thank God! but he
had been out and drinking, with the
money in his possession, and had been
robbed of it.
Oh, how grateful l was! Every
other misfortune in the world might
be borne with patience now, since
! Tom was not dishonest.
He confessed to me thousand in
discretiOns, follies, sins; told ME of
many and serious debts that he had
left behind him. Most startling of all,
he told me he was married, and i'm
plored me to seek out and protect his
wife and child.
Toms wife and childi Who was
she? After the first surprise was over,
found myself longing to see my new
sister and the little one.
/ went to the address Tom had sent
me-went with a carriage, prepared
to bring my new relations home. Dis
| appointment met me. Mrs. Searle
and her child had gone.
''They were behind with their rent"
said the landlady, s'and the husband
went away, so 1 couldn't keep her.
| She left to-day"
/ returned home discouraged. l
didn't want to see or speak to any one
just then, so it was peculiarly annoy
ing to find that young woman,
whom had employed to do sewing
more than year ago, had called and
was waiting to see me.
/ went down to her She arose to
meet me as l entered the parlor
Little Eva Robinson! l remembered
the girl well-a pretty, gentle, timid
creature.
l started when l saw that she had
an infant in her arms.
why, what's this?' cried.
''My baby" she said timidly. I'm
married since 1 saw you last, miss"
sat down, and bade her do the
same, and then asked her what could
do to serve her.
For all answer she burst into pas
sion of tears, and, rising suddenly,
came and laid the infant in my lap.
Have mercy on me-" she cried,
falling on her knees. This is your
| brothers child aud mine, and II am
his wifeT
1 was a proud girl, and this blow
was Il heavy one. My brother, so
| handsome, such favorite, so unfit for
wife and child-he might have married
SO advantageously, l thought, and
here was called upon to welcome as
sister my own sewing-girl.
But did. l may have shrunk from
her for an instant, perhaps, in the first
surprise; but next minute the thought
of that other disgrace, which Tom had
not brought on himself and me, re-
turned to me, and in my gratitude at
escaping that could not murmur.
She was dear little thing, too,
after ALL and the baby charming.
| All, | had reason to be thankful for
the comfort of their presence soon.
For the very next day, meeting an ac-
quaintance in the street, said she:
"And so l hear that your marriage
is postponed, my dear"
Ny heart sank down like lead.
..Who informed you?" 1 asked
quietly.
Your intended bridegroom, Mr..
Harry Hatton, himself. Is it not
| true?"
Perfectly true" l answered.
"And postponed until whenP"
"Indetinitely."
wrote the same day to Harry:
lyon desire your freedom; take it.
You will never be called upon to full
| fill your engagement with me-"
And he took me at my word.
He called, certainly, and made a
pretence of explanation and regret.
The almost entire loss of my fortune
had influenced his father, not himself;
but my brothers conduct
1 stopped him there.
tom was innocent" | said; land
what he lost / have restored. You
have acknowledged that there was
nothing wrong in his accounts. You
need seek no excuse in his conduct,
SIR"
He lost his temper.
"Do you excuse his destruction of
an innocent girl, and abandonment of
her and her child?" he said.
With one quick movement l threw
open the folding-doors, and showed
him Eva and her son.
''Allow me to introduce you to my
brothers wife and child, whom he left
in my protection"
But his words had made me uneasy.
That evening, seated with the baby on
my lap, asked Eva where she had
been married.
''Alasr' she cried, ''if l only knew!
Tom took me to church in carriage.
1t was in this very city, but l don't
know where 1t was because had no
certificate of my marriage that [
dared not go to my brother-my dear
noble brother-who has struggled SO
hard, and made himself, unaided, all
honorable position and name. l
know that cruel slander concerning
me has been carried to him that must
almost have broken his heart"
l took her hands away from her face
and kissed her.
Wen find the church," l said.
There must be no SANDER about my
dear brothers wife"
And | did find it after few days
search. Then I got John Robinson's
address-he was a lawyer, l found
and requested him to call on me.
He came, wonderfully grave hand
some man, with something singularly
manly and impressive about him. In
IL